Takano Masamune continued to read his book, not realizing quite yet that the brunette in front of him was currently gaping like a fish. After a few moments of silence Masamune finally looked back up, the young man still gripping the book he had just asked about.

"Is there something else I can help you with?" Masamune asked, shutting his novel after marking the page since this customer seemed like he was waiting for additional attention. Masamune really should hire someone else to deal with the customer service side, but at the same time he didn't trust anyone to help him take care of the store.

The man furrowed his eyebrows and frowned, Masamune's words seeming to bring him out of his stupor, but still the customer appeared confused or upset by something. Could he not afford the book or something? The brunette shook his head quickly in response to Masamune's question when he realized he hadn't answered yet.

"No, that's not it, I just-I don't know if I heard you correctly."

"The book is 2,000 yen." Masamune repeated.

He merely stared at Masamune for a few moments before hesitantly setting the book down to start fishing around in his bag for payment. "Oh-um-right-that's-uh-that's what I thought you said." He sputtered as he sifted through his bag, clearly flustered by something.

Masamune didn't bother asking what had shaken the young man so much. It wasn't any of his business, after all. Although Masamune couldn't deny he was a little curious about this stranger. The bookshop owner had never seen him around before, not that he was the most social but he recognized most people around town at least by face. Not to mention the stranger behaved rather oddly. Maybe books were less where he was from or something.

Eventually, the brunette gave up searching through his bag and blushed darkly, avoiding eye contact with Masamune out of embarrassment.

"So sorry for wasting your time, I'll just put the book back." He said quickly, picking it back up.

"We have less expensive books as well." Masamune said.

"N-No, that's quite alright, b-but thank you, have a nice day!" Masamune watched as he put the book back on the shelf and very hurriedly left the store.

Masamune watched the door for a few moments after it shut before shaking his head, dismissing the whole interaction and opening his book back up.

Ritsu retreated back to the inn after fleeing from the bookstore, locking himself in his room. That man...hadn't offered to give him the book. For just a fleeting moment he had thought that perhaps the spell Aia Kohinata had put on him had somehow been lifted or maybe had expired now that so much time had passed, but he was not foolish enough to believe that.

The one he wanted love from the most...that man? That seemed utterly ridiculous! He didn't know that man and he certainly didn't want love from him! He had just wanted a book! Did the strange bindings of magic know something that he didn't? Was he going to fall in love with him in the future? Had they already met in the past, before this curse business? He supposed none of those options were entirely impossible... Whatever it was, Ritsu wasn't really interested in finding out! Nope! He was not going to find out! He wasn't going to willingly subject himself to a heartbreak he was fated to have, so if he could avoid it he absolutely would.

…

On the other hand…

It had been so long since Ritsu had met someone who didn't see him through cherry blossom petals and rose-colored glass. Although certainly a shock, it was almost a little...nice? The idea of someone talking to you because they genuinely wanted to and not because of a spell that made them think they wanted to was so foreign to Ritsu he almost wanted to cry. However, now it seemed like a possibility. Well, that is, if he could make friends with the man.

Or maybe he could even work there! The store hadn't been huge, but surely a second person there would still be helpful. His boss wouldn't end up falling in love with him so there would be no complications or conflicts of interest. Although there would still be the issue of customers falling in love with him, it would still bring customers in! Ritsu was sure he could convince others to purchase whatever he told them to and the current owner didn't seem as if he was very interested in interacting with potential buyers .

No, no...I'm not seriously trying to convince myself to stay in town, am I?

Ritsu laid on his bed face down, wanting to smother himself with a pillow as a much quieter voice thought;

Well, it couldn't hurt to try.

Masamune watched and waited, the man from yesterday standing in front of him once more. He clearly had something to say, but his nerves were getting in the way. Masamune was tempted to tell him to just get on with it already, but he had a feeling that wouldn't help.

"Um-my name is Onodera Ritsu." He started. "I-I only just arrived in town yesterday and I'm not sure how long I'll be staying yet, but, um, I was wondering if I could possibly work here for the time being?"

"I don't need any help." Masamune said.

"I-I'm really good with people!" Ritsu said quickly and Masamune couldn't stop the look of doubt on his face. This nervous wreck was good with people? Ritsu realized he had misspoken and shook his head. "No-I-what I mean is people like me. If I asked everyone in town to buy a book they would. People just...listen to me." He explained as best he could, but Masamune still had a hard time believing it. Sure, the guy had a pretty face, but that can usually only get you so far and he certainly didn't seem to have the social skills to be a salesman.

"Prove it." Masamune said and Ritsu was slightly taken aback.

"Prove...it?" He echoed and Masamune nodded.

"First, convince someone to come in here, then convince them to buy a book. If you can do that then you can work here." He said, a bored expression on his face. He hoped this would be over quickly.

"And I have your word on that?" Ritsu's anxiety was replaced with a steely determination that Masamune was admittedly pleasantly surprised by.

"You have my word."

"I won't be long." Ritsu said before exiting the bookstore. Well, he certainly had a newfound confidence. Masamune just sighed and opened the book he had at his side, expecting Ritsu to either come back much later or not come back at all. He didn't even have enough time to finish the page he was on.

"What kind of books do you usually like to read?" Ritsu asked the young man he had led into the store, smiling sweetly.

"Oh, I'd be fine with anything you recommend." The man smiled brightly back and Ritsu nodded, leading him toward the back of the store, speaking with the customer as he did, but Masamune was completely zoned out of their conversation. How...did he get someone back here so quickly? Any person in their right mind wouldn't just follow a stranger blindly!

Yet, here he was now, a customer asking for a price on a book that Ritsu had led here. Autopilot took over as Masamune told him the price and accepted the money before watching the man leave. His head then snapped over at Ritsu, looking utterly bewildered before he frowned.

"Do it again."

"You didn't say I had to do it twice." Now Ritsu frowned, crossing his arms.

"How do I know you aren't friends with that man and he agreed to help you?" Masamune pressed, trying to fathom how this awkward guy just made a sale.

"I told you I only just got here yesterday, I don't have any friends."

"You could be lying."

"Well, I'm not. And you gave me your word!" Ritsu reminded him.

Masamune grimaced for a moment before giving a relenting sigh.

"The store is open Monday through Thursday from 9 in the morning to 8 at night with a brief break in the afternoon." Masamune said.

"And do you want me in here every day?"

"If you're going to be on my payroll then I may as well get as much use out of you as I can." Masamune said. "My name is Takano Masamune."

Ritsu smiled widely, trying to contain his excitement. "So, when should I start, Takano-san?" He asked just before the door opened, revealing another customer.

Masamune looked at the new patron before opening his book back up. "Now."